800 Metre Handicap - City of Perth SLSC

On Sunday the first Club Trophy event was held with 13 year old Hayden Wimbridge-Glassford taking out line honours in a tight finish to the 800 Metre Handicap swim.

Following the usual complaints (none from the club President - see below) about the handicap times placed on some of the pre-race favourites (water off a ducks back to the handicapper!) 27 club members took on the challenge of the swim from in front of the club rooms to the Floreat groyne and return.

A mix of masters, juniors and elite athletes went off staggered start times and into a large and challenging swell. Young Hayden had a great swim and was in the wave zone when Club President Grant Trew and U/11 Age Manager Peter Scott sniffed an opportunity for line honours and closed in on the Nipper. Grant took a wave and when he was washed up onto the sand he looked like he would take first place. But the turbulent surf dragged Grant back into deeper water (not a group of Greenpeace volunteers as some have claimed) and Hayden used his younger legs to get him over the line three seconds ahead of Grant with Peter Scott a further 11 seconds back.

Fastest male was the back marker Tom Dowling who completed the course in 13:20 on corrected time, just ahead of Grant and Peter.

The first female home was was another 13 year old Lauren Hall. In a great swim Lauren finished 6th overall, just one minute behind first place. Niamh Guy and Jemma Scott were second and third females respectively. The fastest female was another back marker Jade Whitehead who completed the course in 14:28 on corrected time, closely followed by Niamh and Jemma.

Congratulations to all participants and special thank you to Brett Wakefield and all of our water safety crew for looking after our swimmers.

First place: Hayden Wimbridge-Glassford
Fastest male: Tom Dowling
Fastest female: Jade Whitehead

Stephen Carrick- Surf Sports Officer

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